BMGA By Laws
BLACKLEDGE MEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
ARTICLE 1: NAME and OBJECTIVES
This organization shall be known as “BLACKLEDGE MEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION“. (BMGA)
The objectives of BMGA are:
1. To promote greater interest in the game of golf.
2. To regulate the activities of the golfing members.
3. To schedule competitive tournaments, including a BMGA Championship.
4. To be open to competitive amateur golfers.
5. To create new friendships and encourage good sportsmanship.
ARTICLE 2: BYLAWS
BMGA shall have Bylaws that:
1. In all respects comply with the general USGA Rules of Golf and be dedicated to the best interests of BMGA and its membership.
2. May be amended by a majority vote of the BMGA Board of Governors (BoG) members present at a regular or special meeting. The membership shall be notified of changes within thirty (30) days of significant changes.
3. Follow the U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (C) 3, as it pertains to non-profit organizations.
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIPS
BMGA shall be comprised of amateur golfers who wish to play at Blackledge Country Club and maintain a competitive handicap.
1. Each member in good standing has the right to nominate and vote, express opinions on all subjects before the association, to attend all meetings and express views, arguments, and opinions on all matters of business, including candidates for office, and generally to participate in the activities of the association.
2. Any member who in any way acts in what is deemed detrimental to the organization or considered as conduct unbecoming a member shall be subject to facing expulsion by the BMGA Board of Governors.
3. Lifetime BMGA membership will be granted to members over the age of 80 with 20 years of membership in the BMGA.
4. Minimum age for membership is 18.
ARTICLE4: FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of this organization shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 for reporting and accounting.
ARTICLE5: POWER OF ADMINISTRATION
The BMGA Board of Governors and its Bylaws are the highest authority of this organization. Interpretations of the Bylaws and setting of “local rules”, along with PGA local rules as determined and published by the Professional Staff at Blackledge Country Club, shall be the sole determining rules and guidelines governing the conduct of the Association, its members, and the golfing tournaments and events it runs.
The BMGA Board of Governors shall consist of the following officers to carry out its responsibilities:
* President
* Secretary
* Treasurer
* Social Chairman
* Member at Large
* Immediate Past President
A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of members of the Board of Governors (BoG). Because of the complexity and the nature of the positions, BoG members are expected to serve terms of office of two years each. The BoG may, from time to time, make any exceptions to any provisions in these Bylaws that is in the best interest of the membership.
Any Board member who is absent from two meetings of the Board without being excused by the President will be requested to forfeit his position on the Board as well as his elected position. If such an occasion occurs, the member will be replaced as provided by these Bylaws. In the event of vacancies on the Board after annual elections, such vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board. The Board of Governors shall:
1. Have general charge and control of the affairs, funds, and property of BMGA.
2. Make and amend its own rules and regulations not inconsistent with the Bylaws.
3. Hear appeals from members who are dissatisfied with decisions made by the Board.
4. Ensure the integrity of the handicaps and tournament results of the members.
5. Suspend, censure, or expel a member by majority vote of the Board when such action is warranted.
6. Serve as a grievance committee, receive, and hear all complaints in writing from any member and make a full investigation.
7. When necessary, formulate and propose amendments to the Bylaws for action by the Board of Governors.
8. The Board of Governors may call a special meeting of BMGA at any time, or a member may submit a petition signed by ten (10) or more members requesting such a special meeting, with at least one week’s notice of time and place of meeting to members. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of those present.
The suggested order of business at Board of Governors meetings shall be:
*Roll Call
*Members’ Forum
*Reading of minutes and action and corrections thereon
*Reading of Treasurer’s Report and action
*Reports from President and other Board members
* Unfinished Business
*New Business
*Adjournment
ARTICLE 6: MEETINGS
1. Regular meetings of the Board of Governors shall be held at the Blackledge Country Club or a convenient alternative location. The President, or his designee, shall determine date, time, and place, and notify other Board members at least one week in advance.
2. Special meetings may be called by the President whenever it is considered necessary. A simple majority of Board members present may transact business at all meetings.
3. Any member may attend the regularly scheduled Board meeting to voice an opinion or concern during the public part of the meeting but cannot vote on issues before the officers of the Board.
4. There shall be a meeting in the Spring to open the golf season, welcome new members, present the budget, and conduct such business as is necessary. There shall be a meeting in the Fall for presentation of tournament prizes and Treasurer’s Report, election of Board members, and any other business.
ARTICLE 7: DUTIES OF THE OFFICE
PRESIDENT:
1. Presides over all Board meetings.
2. Gives annual report at the end of season.
3. Must be selected from a member of the present or a prior year’s Board of Governors.
SECRETARY:
1. Keeps and publishes minutes of all Board and business meetings.
TREASURER:
1. Keeps account of all funds. Disburses funds as requested with submission of paid receipts.
2. Authorized to sign checks up to $5,000. Checks over $5,000 shall be signed by both the Treasurer and the President, or the Presidents designee. In the absence of the Treasurer, checks may be signed by the President and one other Board member.
SOCIAL CHAIRMAN:
1. Oversees and provides guidance on all social events, tournaments, handicaps, and communication, both content and timing, to members.
2. Responsible for verifying and certifying that members meet membership requirements.
MEMBER AT LARGE:
- Support the Board and act as a liaison with BMGA Club members.
- Participate in board meetings and discussions as a voting member, contribute to making informed decisions on expenditures, organizational policies, and other activities the board may vote on.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT:
1. Based on Board experience and tenure as President, serves as an advisor to other Board members to provide continuity of oversight. In the event the Immediate Past president cannot serve, a prior past President may be elected or appointed to this position.
ARTICLE 8: ELIGIBILTY FOR OFFICE
Any member is eligible for office, other than President, (the President must be chosen from the present Board or a previous Board), provided he is a member in good standing at that time.
ARTICLE 9: ELECTIONS
At least seven (7) days prior to the Fall meeting, the Board shall prepare a slate of officers to serve on the Board of Governors and post the slate on the BMGA bulletin boards. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the Fall meeting. In the event of incomplete nominations and election, the incumbent board, at its first meeting, shall be responsible for filling any vacancies.
ARTICLE 10: FINANCES
Dues shall be no more than $99 annually. Additional fees for services or goods received, such as handicap calculation services, food, and products distributed, will be added as necessary to the Annual Dues Total. The Annual Dues Total will be set by the Board of Governors each year, and additional fees to cover expenses collected as needed.
ARTICLE 11: TOURNAMENTS – GENERAL INFORMATION
As a rule, tournaments are usually one day events played on a Saturday, Sunday, or a Holiday. Some of the more important events may be played over multiple days. Participants should enter multiple day events only if they can commit to playing all days required for that tournament.
ARTICLE 12: RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
1. Familiarizing yourselves with the Rules of Golf, local rules, and all conditions under which the competition is being played.
2. Appearing at the first tee promptly, ready to play at your scheduled time.
3. Reporting the results of each round of play immediately upon completion by submitting their signed scorecard to one of the pro shops.
4. Marking your score cards correctly and having them properly signed, attested, and dated.
5. Strictly observing the Rules of Golf, the etiquette of golf, and the traditions of the game.
6. Entering tournament play only if prepared to play all matches on their scheduled date.
7. Notifying Pro Shop Staff of your intent to compete in events as soon as possible after events have been posted.
8. Confirming your own starting times for all events.
9. Each member is individually responsible for signing his name or having a member of his foursome include his name on the entry sheet in advance for events in which he intends to participate. No member can sign up for more than their own foursome on the advance entry sheet.
10. Each member shall participate in the required number of five (5) events throughout the season to maintain renewal eligibility for next season.
11. A member wishing to compete in the Club Championship &/or Senior Championship must have competed in a minimum of four (5) BMGA events in that calendar year and prior to signing up for that event.
ARTICLE 13: APPEALS
Any member dissatisfied with any action or decision of the association’s officers may make his appeal in writing to the Board of Governors and may appear in person before the Board of Governors to further present their appeal.
ARTICLE 14: AMMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by making a motion, in writing, or by statement, to a Board member at any meeting as provided under ARTICLE 6. The amendment to the Bylaws will then be presented before the membership for discussion and vote. The membership may adopt an amendment by a simple majority of those in attendance who are eligible to vote.
Introduced 1969
Amended 1987
Amended 2017
Amended 2021
Amended 2022
Amended 2023
Amended 2024
Amended 2025
